Composer Gavin Higgins has spoken to 4BR of his delight that the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will give the world premiere later this year of a suite from his critically acclaimed score to the ballet 'Dark Arteries'.

Compositions

The work will form part of a programme under the baton Bramwell Tovey at London's prestigious Barbican Centre on 22nd April — one that will also feature selected compositions from the pens of Elgar Howarth, Edward Gregson, John Ireland, Joseph Horovitz, Denis Wright, Joseph Turrin, Lucy Pankhurst and the conductor himself.

The featured soloists are the remarkable London Symphony Orchestra stars Philip Cobb and Peter Moore — both of whom ply their professional trade at the iconic concert hall complex that has been home to the orchestra since 1982.

Inspirational

"It's wonderful that the youngsters will perform 'Dark Arteries' — and under such an inspirational conductor as Bramwell Tovey,"Gavin said.

"I've worked extensively with Paul Hindmarsh to create a suite of around 15 minutes that captures its evocative spirit and drama — from bleakness and despair to visceral anger and finally to reflective beauty.

I know it's a musical language the youngsters will fully understand, so I hope both they and the audience enjoy it."

Impact

'Dark Arteries' created a great deal of impact when it was premiered in 2015 at Sadler's Wells featuring Tredegar Band — enjoying extensive national media coverage. It has since gone on to reach new audiences both in Britain and Europe.

The Guardian newspaper referred to '…the dark, glittering sound palette of Higgins's score' whilst The Independent referred to '...Higgins' layers of chiming, rumbling sound'.

The literary inspiration comes from a line in Mervyn Peake's coal mining poem 'Rhondda Valley' with its three individual movement titles taken from 'GB84' by David Peace.

Easter Course

The National Youth Band of Great Britain Easter Course will take place at Wymondham College, Norfolk from the 8th to 15th of April, with the first of two concert performances taking place at the University of Cambridge, West Road Concert Hall on Saturday 15th April, followed by the Barbican in London on Saturday 22nd April.

(image: copyright Eric Redmond and Tredegar Town Band)

The Guardian newspaper referred to '...the dark, glittering sound palette of Higgins's score' whilst The Independent referred to '...Higgins' layers of chiming, rumbling sound'4BR

Barbican Performance:

22nd April
7.30pm
Barbican
London

https://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?id=19373&pg=9450
Selected music from:

Mosaic (Elgar Howarth)
Symphony in Two Movements (Edward Gregson)
Elegy from 'A Downland Suite' (John Ireland)
Concerto for Cornet (Denis Wright)
Dark Arteries suite (Gavin Higgins)
Lincoln Tunnel Cabaret (Bramwell Tovey)
Fandango (Joseph Turrin)
Ballet for Band (Joseph Horovitz)
Wired (Lucy Pankhurst)

Conductor: Bramwell Tovey
Featured Soloists: Philip Cobb (trumpet); Peter Moore (trombone)